Vice President, Growth - Kinetic Effects, Defense Sector

About the job

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At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

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Leidos is seeking a Vice President of Growth for our Kinetics Business area within the Defense Sector. The Kinetics Business Area is the fastest-growing business area in the Defense Sector, delivering cutting-edge hypersonic and cruise missile solutions that are reshaping the modern battlespace. Based in Huntsville, Alabama — the heart of the U.S. missile and hypersonics community — this senior leader will own the full growth agenda for Kinetics, driving pipeline development, capture leadership, and long-term strategic positioning across one of the most consequential mission areas in the U.S. defense industrial base.

This role reports directly to the Defense Sector Growth SVP and works in close partnership with the Kinetics Business Area SVP, Defense Tech Capture team, and other functional leadership to align growth strategy with program execution and customer mission priorities.

THE MISSION

The Kinetics Growth function exists to ensure Leidos wins the programs that matter most in hypersonics and cruise missile development and production— sustaining and expanding Leidos' position as a premier provider of kinetic effects capabilities to DoD. This VP will set the direction, pace, and standard for how the Kinetics Business Area competes and wins, building the customer relationships, pursuit strategies, and team capabilities required to lead in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive market.

THE CHALLENGE:

• Own the full growth agenda for the Kinetics Business Area, with accountability for pipeline development, pursuit qualification, capture leadership, and award outcomes across the hypersonics and cruise missile portfolio
• Serve as the senior growth leader and face of Leidos to key Kinetics customers including the SOCOM, Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Missile Defense Agency (MDA), U.S. Air Force, and Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) hypersonics programs
• Build and lead a high-performing Kinetics growth team of business development professionals to achieve near- and long-term growth objectives
• Develop and execute capture plans across all phases of the BD lifecycle — from opportunity identification and shaping through proposal submission and award — for complex, high-value Kinetics pursuits
• Develop near- and long-term business strategies that position Leidos for sustainable growth in hypersonic glide vehicles, scramjet propulsion, cruise missile systems, and associated test and evaluation capabilities
• Partner with the Kinetics BA SVP and leadership team to support strategic planning, annual operating plan development, pipeline reviews, bid agenda development, and gate reviews
• Establish, build, and maintain executive-level relationships with government customers, industry partners, and national laboratory partners critical to Kinetics mission areas
• Build and lead industry teams; identify and qualify strategic teaming partners and suppliers essential to competitive win strategies in hypersonics and cruise missile competitions
• Conduct competitive analysis and gather market intelligence to inform pursuit decisions, shape acquisitions, and differentiate Leidos' capabilities and offerings
• Lead and participate in black hat sessions, win theme workshops, proposal reviews, and after-action reviews to continuously improve Pwin and capture performance
• Manage Kinetics Business Area new business funds and BD investment resources in alignment with growth priorities and return-on-investment objectives
• Drive collaboration with other Leidos Defense Sector business areas and corporate functions to bring the full breadth of Leidos technology, capabilities, and mission experience to Kinetics captures
• Represent Leidos at defense industry events, symposia, and government forums relevant to hypersonics, cruise missiles, and kinetic effects.

WHAT SETS YOU APART:

• Bachelor's degree and 15+ years of related business development, capture management, or program leadership experience in defense; Master's degree with 12+ years preferred
• Demonstrated experience leading business development or growth teams within the hypersonics, cruise missile, missile defense, or adjacent advanced weapons systems market
• Deep knowledge of and established relationships within the key Kinetics customer community, including SOCOM, RCCTO, AFRL Munitions Directorate, DARPA Tactical Technology Office, MDA, and OSD Hypersonics programs
• Proven track record of winning large-scale, complex defense programs ($100M+ TCV) through disciplined capture management across the full BD lifecycle
• Experience navigating and winning across multiple acquisition pathways including OTAs, CSOs, RDT&E contracts, and Programs of Record in the advanced weapons or hypersonics domain
• Strong understanding of the DoD hypersonics and long-range fires budget, investment priorities, and acquisition timelines, including the FYDP and service-level strategic plans
• Demonstrated leadership experience building and managing high-performing BD and capture teams in a fast-paced, competitive defense environment
• Demonstrated working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and DoD acquisition policy
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, including experience delivering executive-level briefings to C-suite leadership and senior government officials
• Ability to influence constructively and operate effectively at the highest levels of both corporate and government organizations
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior U.S. military experience in aviation, fires, missiles, or a related combat arms or acquisition field
• Experience with Leidos hypersonics and advanced weapons capabilities, or equivalent industry background with a prime defense contractor in hypersonics
• Established relationships within the Huntsville, AL defense community, including Redstone Arsenal tenant organizations, Army aviation and missile commands, and regional industry partners
• Experience with prototype-to-program-of-record transitions in high-technology weapons or propulsion systems
• Formal Shipley capture and proposal training or equivalent large defense contractor capture methodology
• Active TS/SCI clearance

CLEARANCE REQUIRED:

Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance. Active TS/SCI strongly preferred.

• At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We’re not hiring followers. We’re recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

October 27, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $223,800.00 - $360,000.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.